View full sizeJamie Francis/The OregonianSome food carts like El Masry, which serves Egyptian food at the corner of Southwest Washington and Third Avenue in downtown Portland, have built decks and added seating to serve their customers better.

At a meeting with food cart owners and supporters this afternoon, Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard said the carts with illegal decks and structures had two choices to comply with building codes: either tear down the structure or enter an exhaustive permit process.

Several of the more than 75 people in attendance inquired about the requirements of the permit process. Leonard, who manages the city's permit office, and several others on the BDS staff stressed it is no small undertaking.

"It's a long road and it doesn't always have a bright light at the end of it," Leonard said, adding that some of the illegal structures he has seen attached to the food carts would not likely be given permits because of structural issues.

To obtain a building permit, an owner of a structure must meet a slew of requirements, including having drawn plans of the structure’s site and floor plan. They must also provide proof that the building is accessible in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and be reinforced enough to withstand strong winds and other elements. Owners of food carts with illegal structures can apply for building permits by visiting the BDS building at 1900 S.W. 4th Ave.

In Southwest Portland, a food cart called The Portland Soup Company has an illegal deck attached to it. Cart owner Jeremy Davidson said he will likely try to come up with a new shelter for customers rather than apply for the permit.

"What’s frustrating to me is how much they say they want to work with us but at the same time their line is 'you can try to get a permit, but don't,'" Davidson said. "It's kind of like they’re saying do it if you dare."

If an awning is directly connected to a food cart, it doesn’t need a permit. Davidson he might pursue a roof similar to an awning to take the place of his current covered deck.